The princess and the pea

The story: This is the stock standard version of the classic fairy tale. The illustrations, made with oil paints, printed paper and palette paper, are vibrant and vivid depictions of African princesses. The story also uses some African words, which are defined at the back of the book.

The highlights: The illustrations show that princesses don’t necessarily look like Disney ones.

The story: Lauren Child painted cornflake packets for the panelled rooms and set up the paper-dressed characters inside with tweezers, before Polly Borland, the photographer, took the photos. The language is just as wonderful as the illustrations –

“You see,” said the king, “a real princess is not only mesmerisingly beautiful and fascinatingly interesting but, most important of all –”
“She has manners,” said the queen.
“No one should ever travel without them,” said the king.
“No, never, never go anywhere without your manners,” agreed the queen, taking her elbows off the table.

The highlights: The artwork is so intricate and so beautifully detailed, and the story embraces the traditional version but adds its own spin. Miss 8 can embrace her inner princess as often as she likes – she can be as mesmerisingly beautiful and fascinatingly interesting as she likes – as long as she remembers her manners!